George Lucas has been known to describe his original Star Wars trilogy as told largely through the eyes of the droids [R2-D2 and C-3P0]. This is perhaps most apparent in Episode IV (the first episode to be created) and least apparent in Episode I (the most recent creation). It is a successful narrative device in many ways, but that is not the subject of this page. Rather, that it has incidentally created an alternative interpretation of the plot of the saga, drawn from contextual clues in the episodes.

R2-D2 and a fellow astromech droid making sweet electric whopee to the Queen's vessel.

I am not suggesting that there exists some sort of X-style Lucasfilm conspiracy of secret plots. I believe that the elements of this alternative interpretation, though they fit together logically, were generated accidentally. That being said:

It is my contention that R2-D2 is the fulcrum upon which the plot of the entire saga pivots, and that this is made possible because R2-D2 is a direct instrument of the Force. Sort of like Owen Meany.

My suspicions were first aroused in the scene in Episode IV in which the droids are being purchased from the Jawas to serve on the Lars/Skywalker homestead. Owen Lars chooses to buy C-3P0 and an R2 unit with red-stylings (apparently named R5-D4, according to the Kenner action figure, circa 1977). While Owen proceeds with the formalities of the transaction with the Jawa salesman, Luke commands the droids to follow him.

R2-D2 watches the sale of R5-D4 in Episode IV

At this point, R2-D2 becomes upset. He begins to wobble and chatter in a panic. His restraining bolt is activated by the Jawas, and his gross motion ceases. Still, his head continues to turn, and he continues to bleep in alarm. He looks at R5-D4, whose motivator then explodes. Uncle Owen opts to buy R2-D2 instead.

R2-D2 rubs out R5-D4 at the Lars/Skywalker Homestead in Episode IV

Granted, the Jawas did have some pretty shoddy merchandise. It is entirely possible that R5-D4 had a faulty part. However, in the light of the arguments presented below, you may find it difficult not to watch this scene and refuse to believe that R2-D2 is not serving as a conduit of the Force, rather than a lucky coincidence.

Obi-wan taught that in his experience, there is no such thing as luck.

Now, it is well known that R2-D2 has an array of scanning modules, which routinely detect oncoming attackers before they have come to human attention. In several instances in all four films, R2-D2 reacts to a threat before it is apparent.

Despite this, R2-D2 is capable of being ambushed (for example, in Episode VI when the Ewoks caught R2-D2 and his companions in a large net). This could be explained by suggesting that R2-D2 is more sensitive to certain things than others -- more specifically, that he is more easily able to distinguish approaching high technology (powered particle weapons, communications signals) than low technology (organic materials and stone).

Another example of R2s variable sensor sensitivity is the time on Dagobah when he was taken unawares by the bog monster (and fortunately, subsequently expectorated therefrom). Shortly thereafter, R2-D2 fails to detect the sneaky approach of Yoda (and, presumably, Frank Oz with his hand up Yoda's caboose).

It all seems reasonable until we remember the scene in Episode IV when R2 detects several creatures approaching from the south-west. The Sandpeople, or Tuskan Raiders, do not have in evidence very much high technology (although they apparently have blasters, or else a blasted Jawa vehicle could not be attributed to them). So, if it is the blasters that the Tuskan Raiders are carrying that R2-D2 is detecting on his long range scanner, then why is his utterance translated by C-3P0 as several creatures? This seems like a lot of literary licence, even for the flamboyant and melodramatic 3P0.

R2-D2 causes enough of a disturbance in the Force to be sensed by Jedi Master Obi-wan Kenobi in Episode IV

This puts a crimp in the theory that R2-D2 cannot sense organic material. What else might we use to characterise the events where R2-D2 responds clairvoyantly to, and the events where he is taken by surprise? The Force. When the approaching element is a threat to any member of the Skywalker royal family, R2-D2 becomes very vocal, seconds or moments before the threat is apparent. When the approaching element is relatively harmless, R2-D2 can be taken unawares.

It is extremely unlikelty that R2-D2s sensors are capable of the kind of ming-boggling intelligence necessary to predict the near future with such precision as to declare an approaching entity harmful or harmless, and then to act on that basis. If this were the case, R2 units would be the ones piloting fightercraft, rather than John Q. Antilles.

R2-D2 shrieks in anticipation of a particle weapon blast in Episode I. Click on the image above to watch a QuickTime movie clip.

The issue of R2-D2s sensors aside for the moment, let us consider an instance of out outright precognition. In the climax Episode I, for example, RD-2D exclaims in fright before he is nearly struck by a laser blast -- he exclaims, in fact, before the blast is even fired at Anakins fighter. Did he extrapolate the trajectory of a potential blast from the extrapolated trajectory of any number of enemy craft? Again, if R2-D2 could harness that kind of computational power, human pilots would be out of a job.

One thing that only Jedi can do is to see just far enough into the future to avoid being shot, most of the time. In several instances in the first three films we see R2-D2 confidently leading C-3P0 through a hail of weapons fire. R2 appears only in danger of being struck when his attention is occupied interfacing with a computer terminal, or locking down a stabiliser.

Lastly, there is the opinion of Vader himself.

R2-D2 is locked out of the action early at Cloud City in Episode V

In Episode V, Darth Vader arranges for Luke Skywalker to find his way to the carbon-freezing chamber. The very first action taken is to separate Luke from R2-D2.

In the climax of Episode IV as Vader's TIE fighter zooms up behind Luke's X-Wing fighter, Vader feels out throug the Force and detects the power of his opponent. His first reaction is to shoot R2-D2.

R2-D2 is more than a mere target of opportunity for Vader in the Death Star trench sequence of Episode IV

Given that Vader is known to be unconcerned with his enemies carrying blasters or lightsabres as they confront him, isn't this a bit of an overreaction for a piece of hardware as humdrum as an astromech droid? Not if he is an instrument of the Force, and a power capable of reshaping the destinies of kings.

In summary, R2-D2 has interfered with those that would separate him from his charges (even violently at times, as with R5-D4). R2-D2 is more sensitive to things which endanger the Skywalkers because he is informed, consciously or unconsciously, by the Force. R2-D2 time and time again responds early to things which are important to the Force (like not having Luke and Obi-wan clobbered by Tuskan Raiders), and fails to respond to threats irrelevant to the Force (like being chewed on my a bog monster, or snared by an Ewok hunting party). His ability to evade fire is similar to the Jedi skill, as is the dilution of his powers while multitasking. Finally, Darth Vader himself takes every oppurtunity to personally destroy R2-D2, investing better aim than he does when shooting at his own son.

The seemingly humble droid R2-D2 is clearly the fulcrum upon which the plot of the Star Wars saga pivots; without him, the Dark Times would surely have continued for a thousand generations. Sage interpreters of the Son of Suns Prophecy: eat your hearts out!